Page 160 of What Change Entails

“I believe I admitted nothing so serious.”

“You did. In tone, if not in words.”

“In tone?”

“Yes. A very grave, brotherly tone. Quite condemning.”

He gave a low laugh. The sound warmed her more than the sun. “I have grown rather fond of Miss Lydia,” he said. “Though I reserve the right to be alarmed by her.”

“That is wise. Fondness should never interfere with self-preservation.”

“She is rash, impertinent, and far too delighted by disorder.”

Elizabeth was vastly amused. “Do continue. I can scarcely distinguish whether you condemn or admire her.”

The look Darcy gave was unfair. “Perhaps I have discovered an admiration for impertinent misses.”

She shook her head, though she could not help smiling. “That is a broad category.”

“Not very broad.”

“Are you flirting with me, sir?” She adored him.

“Yes.” The single word touched her more effectively than a compliment. He did not even pretend innocence.

Elizabeth looked ahead quickly, but she could feel him beside her, amused and pleased with himself. “You were more dignified when I disliked you,” she said.

“I was more miserable then.”

That answer sobered her. She reached again for his hand, and this time he rotated his palm upward before her fingers touched his.

“I was wrong about so much,” she said.

“So was I.”

“Yes, but I was confidently wrong. That is always worse.”

“I assure you, I was arrogantly wrong. We may dispute precedence.”

“I yield. Arrogance outranks confidence.”

“That is generous of you.”

“I am a generous woman,” she said saucily.

“Lydia has mentioned this new development in your character.”

Elizabeth groaned. “Has she?”

“At breakfast. She announced her own generosity, but I inferred the habit may run in the family.”

“She will never allow me peace if she discovers she assisted us.” Lydia had been almost bearable the last few days. Elizabeth did not wish for that to change.

“Then we must not tell her.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “You cannot expect to keep anything from Lydia. She will smell romance in the curtains.”

Darcy startled into laughter.